College Football’s First Final Four
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By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com
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The game’s first-ever semifinal games are officially here.
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual: Florida State (13-0) vs Oregon (12-1)
The Seminoles and Ducks will meet in the first-ever semifinal of the inaugural College Football Playoff. In quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, this game will pair the last two Heisman Trophy winners and, potentially, the top two picks in the 2015 NFL Draft. Florida State enters on a 29-game winning streak and won the national championship in Pasadena a year ago. Led by Mariota, Oregon enters with the nation’s third-ranked offense.
Why Florida State Will Win — Florida State has shown an uncanny ability to overcome even multi-score deficits throughout its current stretch of success. Jimbo Fisher’s team plays with supreme confidence and has proven to be clutch when it matters most.
Why Oregon Will Win — The pace of Oregon’s offense puts pressure on every opponent and can quickly knock a defense off balance. Mariota and the Ducks are averaging over 46 points per game this season.
AllState Sugar Bowl: Alabama (12-1) vs Oho State (12-1)
Head coaches Nick Saban and Urban Meyer step into the spotlight in this clash of traditional superpowers as the two have combined to win six national championships. The top-ranked Crimson Tide are led by Heisman Trophy finalist Amari Cooper and a strong defense. Third-string quarterback Cardele Jones and the Buckeyes jumped to fourth after crushing Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Why Alabama Will Win — Quarterback Blake Sims, Cooper and backs T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry put up more points than Ohio State can match. The Crimson Tide’s defense, allowing just 16.6 points per game, prevents Jones from getting in a rhythm.
Why Ohio State Will Win — The big-play Buckeyes hit a few home runs and carry over their powerful momentum from the end of the regular season. Lineman Joey Bosa and company force Alabama into turnovers.
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